2010 Federation International Football Association (Fifa) World Cup preliminary
draw is a success
14 November 2007
There is absolutely nothing you can take for granted when it comes to the
2010 Fifa World Cup.
These were the sentiments expressed by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso
Ndebele today, 14 November 2007, during an address to public servants on the
2010 Fifa World Cup preliminary draw to be held in Durban KwaZulu-Natal, in
just eleven days, on 25 November 2007.
Hundreds of public servants from all over the province; representing the
national, provincial and local spheres of government, gathered at the Royal
Show Grounds in Pietermaritzburg today, 14 November 2007, for the briefing.
"There is absolutely nothing you can take for granted in terms of the 2010
Fifa World Cup. The majority of us present here today will never see the Fifa
World Cup again in Africa. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, in a
literal sense.
"However, the bonus is that the 2010 Fifa World Cup preliminary draw is
being hosted in Durban KwaZulu-Natal, in just eleven days, on 25 November 2007
and we are the hosts. There are many people who are pessimistic about Africa
and South Africa and their attitude needs to change. This change of attitude
must start with us as government.
"When the Fifa World Cup was hosted in Germany last year, many of the
Germans said that the World Cup has even made them like each other as the
differences between East and West Germans were previously very strong.
"We are going to work with each other very deliberately and very
purposefully. We are all in the 2010 Fifa World Cup together and together let
us make this a successful World Cup, or be condemned together as fools.
"The preliminary draw to be held in Durban KwaZulu-Natal is the largest
preliminary draw ever, in that the most number of countries (204) will be
represented. KwaZulu-Natal is the only province that will have representatives
from the whole world here. We want at least six or seven of these countries to
use our province as their base camp during the 2010 World Cup.
"We say in KwaZulu-Natal we have got the altitude, we have got the aptitude
and we have got the attitude. Therefore, as public servants, when you are
serving members of the public and visitors to our province, always ask yourself
whether you have the right altitude, aptitude and attitude? Let all our
visitors leave with a piece of Durban KwaZulu-Natal. Let genuine hospitality be
our common product," said Premier Ndebele.
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has planned a number of activities
leading up to the preliminary draw on 25 November. These include:
* soccer clinics
* tree planting
* welcoming ceremony and beach party
* Chief versus Pirates match
* public viewing areas for the Chiefs versus Pirates match at various locations
around the province
* preliminary draw
* cocktail party.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Premier's Spokesperson
Cell: 083 644 4050
E-mail: maistryl@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
14 November 2007
